Payson Groups Join Arizona Gives

Local nonprofits join statewide effort to make giving a breeze

Volunteer and nonprofit organizations throughout the state will join forces on March 20 for the first-ever “Arizona Gives Day,” in hopes of enlisting 20,000 volunteers and donors in a good cause.

A coalition of 12 Rim Country nonprofit groups will highlight the local effort with a party for the kind-hearted at the Payson Senior Center from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits and Arizona Grantmakers Forum have organized the first-ever such joint effort, hoping people will go online to find a specific nonprofit or type of charity and make a contribution during a 24-hour period on Wednesday, March 20.

“After seeing the success of this type of online giving initiative in other states, we are excited to host Arizona Gives Day on March 20,” said Patrick McWhortor, president and CEO of the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits. “We hope to have as many as 20,000 Arizonans support our nonprofit community that day, raising millions of dollars for these worthwhile organizations.”

Time Out and a dozen other Payson-area nonprofits hope will provide food, music and raffles at the Senior Center, while handing out information about their programs. You can make a contribution there or go online to azgives.

“Time Out is celebrating our 20th anniversary and we are asking for $20 (from every donor), which will go directly to help build our endowment fund. While I hope that we can eliminate domestic violence soon, I am also being realistic in providing future services without relying on the government,” said Camille Levee, executive director of Time Out Inc.

Presented by First Bank, Arizona Gives Day is scheduled for March 20. The 24-hour online initiative encourages Arizonans to recognize and financially support the efforts of various nonprofits from all over the state.

Donors will select the recipient of their online donation and the donation will go directly to their chosen organization.

Beginning at midnight on March 20 and continuing until 11:59 p.m., Arizonans can go online at www.azgives.org and pledge their financial support to the nonprofit of their choice.

The Alliance and AGF representatives have been hosting informational meetings across the state with nonprofit organizations. At present, nearly 200 have registered to be a recipient of the Arizona Gives Day effort.

According to Marissa Theisen, president and CEO of the Arizona Grantmakers Forum, the impact of individual donors on the state’s many nonprofit organizations will be felt for years to come. “These much-needed funds will help organizations change lives, build leaders and champion so many good causes.”

About the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits

The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits is a statewide nonprofit membership association of, by and for Arizona’s nonprofits with a mission to enhance the well-being of the people and communities in the state by serving, supporting, protecting and promoting Arizona’s nonprofit sector. For more information, visit www.ArizonaNonprofits.org.

About Arizona Grantmakers Forum

Arizona Grantmakers Forum AGF is a regional association that provides educational resources, research and networking opportunities for grantmakers in Arizona. Member organizations make financial grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the state and represent the interests of private foundations, trusts, endowed community foundations, corporations, government agencies and individuals with organized charitable gift programs.